AAMIBBSBY 10

Fearing he would fall, Xia Zhi subconsciously grabbed onto Shen Shixiao’s shoulder. Body heat transferred through the thin fabric—their posture was very intimate, carrying an inexplicable ambiguity.

Xia Zhi’s breathing suddenly became rapid.

Casually finding an excuse, he stammered, “P-picking a bed…”

A low chuckle escaped from his throat. Shen Shixiao’s arm tightened around his waist, pulling him up onto the bed. Only after he was lying steadily did he retract his arm and return to his pillow.

His fingers gently stroking the cotton quilt, Xia Zhi’s whole body felt at a loss, his skin burning fiercely. “Thank you, Mr. Shen.”

Shen Shixiao: “You’re welcome.”

After this interlude, the distance between the two seemed a bit closer than before, and Xia Zhi couldn’t sleep even more. Afraid of disturbing Shen Shixiao, he didn’t dare to move recklessly, blinking his eyes as he counted money in his head.

Ten thousand yuan, twenty thousand yuan…

Um, so much money…

“Can’t sleep?”

The sudden voice in the darkness startled Xia Zhi, and he stumbled over his words. “A little bit.”

Shen Shixiao seemed to turn over, asking towards Xia Zhi, “I heard you studied abroad, did you also have trouble sleeping in new beds abroad?”

Xia Zhi blinked his eyes. “Probably, I don’t remember either.”

There was another moment of tranquility, before Shen Shixiao continued asking, “Why don’t you remember?”

Xia Zhi thought for a moment. “I got into a car accident abroad, and when I woke up, I was already back in the country. Regarding the memories of studying abroad, I don’t remember much, but looking at my study abroad journal, it should have been very beautiful.”

Hearing this, Shen Shixiao was silent for a long while, and didn’t continue asking. He lay flat on his back again. “Go to sleep.”

Xia Zhi: “Goodnight.”

Drowsiness struck, and this time Xia Zhi gradually fell asleep in a daze.

At two in the morning, Shen Shixiao went alone to the old mansion’s wine cellar. After opening a bottle of red wine, he held in his hand the pendant he always wore around his neck.

Early the next morning, the two said goodbye to Mother Shen.

Shen Shixiao seemed a bit more silent than usual, keeping his head buried in his work the whole time. Only when Xia Zhi took the initiative to speak to him would he give a brief reply.

Xia Zhi had already memorized the latest script for “Best Actor.” His screen time wasn’t small, counting as a minor lead. Ever since the previous episode broadcasted, many netizens had found their way to Xia Zhi’s Weibo, but because the Weibo had no selfies, the netizens weren’t sure if it was him.

His extra friends from the film and television city had also heard about Xia Zhi’s situation, and often teased that he could be considered a minor internet celebrity.

“I have quite a bit of screen time in the next episode.”

Xia Zhi was very happy in his heart, and couldn’t wait to share it with Shen Shixiao.

Shen Shixiao looked up at him. “Congratulations.”

Noticing Shen Shixiao’s low spirits, Xia Zhi tentatively asked, “Did you not rest well last night?”

Wuwu! His sleeping posture was rather poor, could it be that he hogged the entire blanket last night, causing Shen Shixiao to get sick?

In any case, he felt warm and toasty all over when sleeping last night.

It’s over!!

Looking at those guilty eyes, Shen Shixiao calmly said, “No.”

A faint woody scent permeated the car. It was exceptionally quiet.

Shen Shixiao suddenly spoke, “Do you think that if you like someone, you would record them in your life?”

Xia Zhi thought seriously for a moment. “Probably.”

A trace of hard-to-detect pain flashed through his eyes, as he lightly said, “Is that so?”

“However, if it were me, I probably wouldn’t record it in my daily life. Because he is the person I love the most, I would secretly hide him away, and record him in a place where only I can see.”

Shen Shixiao’s expression remained focused and calm, but a subtle change occurred in his eyes. He seemed to say to himself, “I see.” The car’s bluetooth music played a soothing melody, as he asked Xia Zhi, “Why did you admit you were married while recording the show? When you become famous in the future, it will have a huge impact on you.”

Xia Zhi’s lips curved. “Telling the people who like me in advance that I’m married can avoid hurting fans when announcing the relationship later. Besides, if I kept it a secret from everyone, it wouldn’t be respectful to you, and I was afraid it would make you feel uncomfortable.”

“Are you considering my feelings this much?” Shen Shixiao’s demeanor softened considerably, a faint smile hooking the corners of his mouth. “Then I thank you for respecting me.”

Xia Zhi blinked his eyes. “You’re welcome.”

Two days later, it was time for the “Best Actor” recording. Early in the morning, Xia Zhi uncharacteristically climbed out from under the covers, striving to eat breakfast together with Shen Shixiao.

“I have a lot of screen time today, enough to make up for all my extra roles over these past few years!” Xia Zhi bit into a slice of bread, his eyes glowing with an unprecedented radiance. “Filming starts this afternoon, do you want to come to the set?”

Thinking about how busy Shen Shixiao’s work was, he hurriedly corrected himself, “Actually, watching it online is fine too.”

Shen Shixiao drank his coffee unhurriedly. “I have an important meeting today, I’m afraid I won’t be able to go to the set, sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Xia Zhi smiled, narrowing his eyes; he had just been too excited, momentarily losing his sense of propriety. With Shen Shixiao’s work being so busy, he definitely wouldn’t have time to go watch a live performance.

After arriving at the film and television city, Xia Zhi began to get his makeup done. His makeup and hair were very detailed today, done by someone specially dispatched by the production crew. Inside the trainees’ makeup room, the atmosphere was a bit different from before. Passing glances fell upon Xia Zhi, carrying a hint of something thought-provoking.

The online livestream portal had opened, and today’s popularity was higher than usual, with the script displayed on the page. Many sharp-eyed netizens commented that the show really was playing awesomely. The courtesan’s screen time in this episode had actually increased significantly, second only to the mentors.

Before the cameras started rolling, Xia Zhi sat inside the palanquin, gently lifting the curtain. Outside was Film Emperor Liang, currently communicating the plot with the director. When Film Emperor Liang turned slightly, he happened to see Xia Zhi, then nodded and smiled at him.

Xia Zhi smiled shyly.

If there’s a chance, he definitely has to ask Film Emperor Liang for an autograph.

At this time, Xia Mingxuan’s noisy shouting rang out from not far away; who knows which unlucky bastard had provoked that ancestor again.

Filming began. The courtesan sat in the palanquin caressing the long flute, his eyes gentle as water, as if all his sorrows could be transformed into a tune from the flute.

[Zhizhi is too perfect, isn’t he!]

[Does anyone know Zhizhi’s Weibo? Begging a kindhearted person to reply!]

[Such a good-looking little brother, but he already has a husband, wuwu.]

[Real-name envying¹Internet slang meaning “I am not hiding behind anonymity, I am publicly and officially expressing my deep jealousy/envy.” Zhizhi’s husband.]

Suddenly, the camera shook violently, and the palanquin was forced to stop.

The courtesan slightly raised his eyes, his features carrying a hint of anxiety amidst the panic. Surrounding him were the sounds of slaughter and combat, and a strange voice rang out from outside the palanquin.

“People inside, hurry up and come out!”

“Holy sh*t hahaha, is this Xia Mingxuan’s voice?”

“This is a fucking villain, right?”

“Awkward as always, I don’t know how Xuan’s fans have the courage to hype him up as a TV Emperor.”

The courtesan stepped out of the palanquin, gently leaning against the palanquin door. “I wonder what the young master seeks me for?”

Xia Mingxuan looked at him with disgust. “Hand over the long flute.”

A hint of a smile dyed the space between the courtesan’s brows. “Young master must be joking, this long flute is my belonging. How can I casually hand it over to you?”

Xia Mingxuan’s tone was stiff. “There is nothing I want that I cannot get!” After speaking, he flew over and began wrestling with Xia Zhi for it.

Having mixed around film sets for so many years, Xia Zhi still had a certain foundation in action and martial arts. Coupled with his fencing background, his long sleeves fluttered, his posture elegant, and in an instant, he effortlessly twisted Xia Mingxuan’s arm behind his back.

The released long flute traced an arc in the air. The courtesan lightly tapped his right knee against him, and Xia Mingxuan immediately fell forward onto the ground, doing a faceplant right into the dirt.

[Today, TV Emperor Xia played the bad guy to absolute perfection!]

[Wait, isn’t Xia Mingxuan playing a righteous character? Why did he act like a villain just now?]

[Oh right, he’s playing a good guy.]

[It’s over, praised him for nothing.]

[Zhizhi acts so well.]

Just as Xia Mingxuan was in a sorry state, the swordsman played by Film Emperor Liang emerged from the shadows, hooked the courtesan’s sleeve, and took him away.

Xia Mingxuan fiercely pounded the ground, and after the cameras moved away, he cursed with a gloomy face.

At this moment, Shen Shixiao was in a meeting, unexpectedly absent-minded. His fingers gently tapped the desk. After thinking for a long time, he had his assistant order a bouquet of flowers from a flower shop.

Today could be considered his first official performance, Xia Zhi must be looking forward to it.

The live broadcast continued, and Xia Zhi was currently sitting on top of the city tower with Film Emperor Liang, conversing in low voices.

Bright eyes and white teeth, clear, bright, and handsome.

The courtesan hugged his long flute, and at this moment, unlike his usual amorous self in the romantic venues, his eyes bloomed with a clean brightness. The swordsman looked down at him, putting away the long sword at his waist.

[I’m kind of shipping this CP, what do I do?]

[Carrying away our Film Emperor, we’re not accepting this pairing,]

[Even though Zhi Zhi already has a husband, but I want to…]

After this plot segment, Xia Zhi’s name quietly climbed onto the tail end of the trending searches, with his search keywords followed by Film Emperor Liang’s name.

Filming ended, and as usual, it came to the interview segment. Due to the last scene being on the city tower, Xia Zhi came down with Film Emperor Liang, and accepted the interview together.

Film Emperor Liang’s popularity was among the top in the entire entertainment industry. Xia Zhi quietly acted as a mascot, and didn’t speak up on his own during the interview. In the end, it was only when the staff lady casually asked about his Weibo that Xia Zhi answered a sentence.

As they gradually wrapped up work, Film Emperor Liang said to him, “Your acting is not bad.”

Xia Zhi rubbed his head. “Thank you for the compliment.”

Saying that, he patted here and there, wanting to find a pen to take the opportunity to ask Film Emperor Liang for an autograph.

At this time, Yan Wenqing walked over and proposed that everyone have dinner together tonight; knowing he was just a trainee, Xia Zhi didn’t include himself in the dinner party list. Just as he was about to go look for a signature pen, he was suddenly stopped by Yan Wenqing, who invited him to join them.

While Xia Zhi was hesitating, a familiar car drove into the film and television city.

Shen Shixiao came?

Xia Zhi grinned, baring his teeth, and trotted over eagerly to welcome him.

The driver opened the car door, and just as Shen Shixiao stepped out, Xia Zhi immediately raised his head and asked, “Can you lend me a pen?”

Shen Shixiao kept his right hand behind his back, holding a huge bouquet of roses.

“What do you need a pen for?”

Xia Zhi pointed at Film Emperor Liang behind him. “I want to ask him for an autograph.”

Shen Shixiao’s gaze chilled, and touching the fountain pen in his pocket, he said, “I don’t have one.”

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  Internet slang meaning “I am not hiding behind anonymity, I am publicly and officially expressing my deep jealousy/envy.”